When a pattern calls for 52 1/2 do you cut the fabric lengthwise to make it a whole piece? It just seems like so much fabric to have to have.I guess perhaps they don't want seams across it.

I have pieced backings lengthwise, or added blocks down the center, and other ways to get the dimensions needed.

Some who LA, prefer that the seam does not go vertical, as it causes problems rolling them on their machines.

I quilt my own, and will piece the backing according to who is getting the quilt, my whim at the time, and by the backing that is readily available :wink:

It is really a personal preference as to how you do this :D:D:D

Yes, I would cut the strip lengthwise after cutting of the selvage. edge A 1 & 1/2 yd. piece of fabric would work. I always cut the longer pieces- sashing & borders - before others in the quilt pattern.

Some designers make their patterns so certain units are cut from the LOF so there is no stretch. Bias has most stretch, WOF has a little stretch and LOF has almost none. So I have often seen outer borders or sashing strips in some patterns from LOF to have as little stretch as possible in that part of the quilt to help you keep it nice and square in the piecing process. I also cut these units first then the balance of my pieces from the remaining yardage.

Ditto to FelineF!

If it's a printed fabric, that would require matching, I'd try to do LOF for a nicer look. And sometimes too, you just don't have the luxury of using LOF re the total you might have. Plus if you only need 52-1/2x3-1/2, you only need 1-1/4 WOF, so a huge difference in the material required.

It looks like you are talking about a border strip 3 1/2" wide by 52 1/3" long. I usually go for the whole piece. If you must seam it, use a diagonal seam since that will fade into the background more easily. (I just did a pillow case with 2 borders and one of the pieces was about 4" WOF narrower than the body and the other border -- I did a diagonal seam and it hardly shows. I have done this on regular borders too.)

that is only 1-1/2 yards of fabric.

vs. only needing seven inches!

:-) True. Did I come off snippy? not my intent. Just saying it wasnt a HUGE length.

Agreed, but how many patterns have you used where it only called for 7" of a fabric? Or where there was only one cut of 3 1/2" x 52" from one fabric? Even in a scrappy quilt the sashings are often the unifying factor so there will be more than one cut from the same fabric. I suspect the OP pattern calls for more cuts from the same fabric that will use up the better part of the rest of that 1 1/2 yards. If not, then by all means cut it WOF or make the supreme sacrifice of adding the balance to the stash! ;) I almost always go for option 2 as I love having that stash.

QMouse ... I'm not sure where you are coming from with your comment? After hearing so many saying they could not afford fabric to do their projects, and could not afford to have s stash, for the same reason, I was just making the comparison.

if the fabric has a distinct pattern you can match the pattern with diagonal seam and probably will never know it.
You might have to buy a little more. Check the repeat and see if you can do this. If fabric has no distinct pattern then don't have to worry about matching. Is that 52 1/2 inch one one cut or two cuts or multiple cuts for border
Do you have a picture of the quilt.

Guess I am asking what you do next with the long strip

Then you might be able to use the larger piece as part of the backing

I prefer to cut my borders lengthwise even if I have to buy extra fabric.
Cutting borders crosswise tend to stretch and that's where wavy borders can
occur. I can live with one seam in the middle. If I needed a 52 1/2" I would
probably buy one yard and keep the rest for my stash. ;-)

QuiltE, I did not take offence, but I thought maybe I had been abrupt, was just saying sorry. *quiltmouse: striving for peace*

I do understand those with financial constraints, have been there many times.

That said, I would go with the 1 1/2 yd, using one LOF and having stash, like you said.

Do you think there would there be any interest in a site that sells "borders only"?

52 1/2 x 3 1/2 would be $2

100 x 6 would be $6.25

I don't know if the shipping would make it not worthwhile. Costs would include supplies & postage.